Computing system with timing prediction and media program retrieval and output feature

ABSTRACT

In one aspect, an example method includes (i) receiving, by a computing system, a portion of a first media program being distributed on a channel, wherein the distribution of the first media program on the channel is scheduled to end at an end-time, and wherein a distribution of a second media program on the channel is scheduled to start at a start-time that corresponds with the scheduled end-time; (ii) predicting, by the computing system, that the distribution of the first media program on the channel will end later than the scheduled end-time; and (iii) responsive at least to the predicting, (a) retrieving, by the computing system, from a source other than the channel, a portion of the second media program, and (b) after the scheduled start-time, outputting, by the computing system, the retrieved portion of the second media program.

USAGE AND TERMINOLOGY

In this disclosure, unless otherwise specified and/or unless theparticular context clearly dictates otherwise, the terms “a” or “an”mean at least one, and the term “the” means the at least one.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an example method is disclosed. The method includes (i)receiving, by a computing system, a portion of a first media programbeing distributed on a channel, wherein the distribution of the firstmedia program on the channel is scheduled to end at an end-time, andwherein a distribution of a second media program on the channel isscheduled to start at a start-time that corresponds with the scheduledend-time; (ii) predicting, by the computing system, that thedistribution of the first media program on the channel will end laterthan the scheduled end-time; and (iii) responsive at least to thepredicting, (a) retrieving, by the computing system, from a source otherthan the channel, a portion of the second media program, and (b) afterthe scheduled start-time, outputting, by the computing system, theretrieved portion of the second media program.

In another aspect, an example non-transitory computer-readable medium isdisclosed. The computer-readable medium has stored thereon programinstructions that upon execution by a processor, cause performance of aset of acts including (i) receiving, by a computing system, a portion ofa first media program being distributed on a channel, wherein thedistribution of the first media program on the channel is scheduled toend at an end-time, and wherein a distribution of a second media programon the channel is scheduled to start at a start-time that correspondswith the scheduled end-time; (ii) predicting, by the computing system,that the distribution of the first media program on the channel will endlater than the scheduled end-time; and (iii) responsive at least to thepredicting, (a) retrieving, by the computing system, from a source otherthan the channel, a portion of the second media program, and (b) afterthe scheduled start-time, outputting, by the computing system, theretrieved portion of the second media program.

In another aspect, an example computing system is disclosed. Thecomputing system is configured for performing a set of acts including(i) receiving, by the computing system, a portion of a first mediaprogram being distributed on a channel, wherein the distribution of thefirst media program on the channel is scheduled to end at an end-time,and wherein a distribution of a second media program on the channel isscheduled to start at a start-time that corresponds with the scheduledend-time; (ii) predicting, by the computing system, that thedistribution of the first media program on the channel will end laterthan the scheduled end-time; and (iii) responsive at least to thepredicting, (a) retrieving, by the computing system, from a source otherthan the channel, a portion of the second media program, and (b) afterthe scheduled start-time, outputting, by the computing system, theretrieved portion of the second media program.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an example computing device.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an example media system.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an example method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Overview

A media system can perform various acts and/or functions related to thedistribution and/or presentation of media content (e.g., audio contentand/or video content). The media system can include various components,such as a media content source, a media content distributor, a set-topbox receiver, and a media presentation device. The source and thedistributor can each take various forms. For example, the source can bea broadcaster and the distributor can be a multi-channel distributor(e.g., a cable provider). The receiver and the media presentation devicecan also take various forms. For example, the receiver can be a cablereceiver and the media presentation device can be a television.

With this arrangement, the source can deliver media content to thedistributor for distribution to the receiver, and the distributor candistribute the media content to the receiver on a discrete channel(e.g., on a particular frequency). The receiver can then respond to userinput or one or more other trigger events by tuning to a selectedchannel and transmitting to the media presentation device the mediacontent that is arriving on the selected channel. The media presentationdevice can then receive and present the media content.

In some cases, the distributor can distribute media content based on adistribution schedule, which can specify which media programs arescheduled for distribution, when they are scheduled for distribution,and on what channels they are scheduled to be distributed on. In somecases, a distribution schedule can specify that a distributor isscheduled to distribute a first media program, and is further scheduledto distribute a second media program immediately after or soon afterdistributing the first media program. As such, a scheduled end-time ofthe first media program can correspond with a scheduled start-time ofthe second media program.

In the case where the distributor distributes the first and second mediaprograms according to the distribution schedule, the media presentationdevice can receive and present the media programs based on the schedule.However, for various reasons, the distributor may not distribute themedia programs according to the schedule. Thus, the media presentationdevice may not receive and present the media programs based on theschedule.

To illustrate how this can happen, assume that the first media programis a media program covering a sporting event, and that the distributionof the first media program is a live broadcast. Further, assume that thesporting event, the first media program, and the distribution of thefirst media program run ten minutes longer than expected. Given this,the distributor can distribute the first media program until an end timethat is ten minutes beyond the scheduled end-time, and can thentransition to distributing the second media program (at a start timethat is ten minutes later than the scheduled start time).

In this scenario, if the end-user of the media presentation device wantsto watch the ten minute overrun portion of the first media program, theend-user can do so. However, if the end-user instead wants to watch thefirst ten minutes of the second media program on the media presentationdevice, the end-user may become frustrated when the media presentationdevice presents the ten minute overrun portion of the first mediaprogram instead. Thus, this particular technical arrangement may presentan issue.

However, features of the present disclosure can help address this issueand provide an improvement to the relevant technical field. Thesefeatures will now be described. As noted above, the distributor cantransmit the first media program distributed on the channel to thereceiver. As such, the receiver can receive a portion of the first mediaprogram being distributed on the channel.

Further, the receiver can predict that the distribution of the firstmedia program on the channel will end later than the scheduled end-time.The receiver can do this in various ways. For example, in the case wherethe distribution of the first media program is a live broadcast of anevent, the receiver can (i) use the distribution schedule to determinethe scheduled end-time of the first media program, (ii) receive datarepresenting a state of the event that is a subject of the first mediaprogram, (iii) use the received data to predict an end time of the firstmedia program, and (iv) determine that the predicted end-time is laterthan the determined scheduled end-time.

Responsive at least to the predicting, the receiver can (i) retrievefrom a source other than the channel, a portion of the second mediaprogram, and (ii) after the scheduled start-time, the receiver canoutput the retrieved portion of the second media program. In oneexample, the source other than the channel can be another distributor.For example, in the case where the first distributor is abroadcast-based distributor and the second (other) distributor is anInternet service provider, this can allow the receiver to retrieve theportion of the second media program “over the top” of the broadcastfirst media program.

Recall the scenario discussed above where the end-user may becomefrustrated when the media presentation device presents the ten minutesoverrun portion of the first media program instead of the first tenminutes of the second media program. As shown with the featuresdiscussed above, the media system can address this issue by allowing theend-user to watch the first ten minutes of the second media programdespite the distributor distributing a portion of the first mediaprogram beyond its scheduled end-time. These and other features andbenefits are described in greater detail below.

II. Example Architecture

A. Computing Device

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an example computing device 100.The computing device 100 can be configured to perform and/or can performone or more acts and/or functions, such as those described in thisdisclosure. The computing device 100 can include various components,such as a processor 102, a data storage unit 104, a communicationinterface 106, and/or a user interface 108. Each of these components canbe connected to each other via a connection mechanism 110.

In this disclosure, the term “connection mechanism” means a mechanismthat facilitates communication between two or more components, devices,systems, or other entities. A connection mechanism can be a relativelysimple mechanism, such as a cable or system bus, or a relatively complexmechanism, such as a packet-based communication network (e.g., theInternet). In some instances, a connection mechanism can include anon-tangible medium (e.g., in the case where the connection iswireless).

The processor 102 can include a general-purpose processor (e.g., amicroprocessor) and/or a special-purpose processor (e.g., a digitalsignal processor (DSP)). The processor 102 can execute programinstructions included in the data storage unit 104 as discussed below.

The data storage unit 104 can include one or more volatile,non-volatile, removable, and/or non-removable storage components, suchas magnetic, optical, and/or flash storage, and/or can be integrated inwhole or in part with the processor 102. Further, the data storage unit104 can take the form of a non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium, having stored thereon program instructions (e.g., compiled ornon-compiled program logic and/or machine code) that, upon execution bythe processor 102, cause the computing device 100 to perform one or moreacts and/or functions, such as those described in this disclosure. Theseprogram instructions can define, and/or be part of, a discrete softwareapplication. In some instances, the computing device 100 can executeprogram instructions in response to receiving an input, such as an inputreceived via the communication interface 106 and/or the user interface108. The data storage unit 104 can also store other types of data, suchas those types described in this disclosure.

The communication interface 106 can allow the computing device 100 toconnect with and/or communicate with another entity according to one ormore protocols. In one example, the communication interface 106 can be awired interface, such as an Ethernet, High-Definition MultimediaInterface (HDMI), or coaxial interface. In another example, thecommunication interface 106 can be a wireless interface, such as acellular or WI-FI interface. In this disclosure, a connection can be adirect connection or an indirect connection, the latter being aconnection that passes through and/or traverses one or more entities,such as a router, switcher, or other network device. Likewise, in thisdisclosure, a transmission can be a direct transmission or an indirecttransmission.

The user interface 108 can include hardware and/or software componentsthat facilitate interaction between the computing device 100 and a userof the computing device 100, if applicable. As such, the user interface108 can include input components such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse,a remote control, a touch-sensitive panel, and/or a microphone, and/oroutput components such as a display device (which, for example, can becombined with a touch-sensitive panel), a sound speaker, and/or a hapticfeedback system.

The computing device 100 can take various forms, such as a server, aworkstation terminal, a desktop computer, a laptop, a tablet, a mobilephone, a set-top box receiver, and/or a television.

B. Media System

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an example media system 200. Themedia system 200 can perform various acts and/or functions related tothe distribution and/or presentation of media content (e.g., audiocontent and/or video content), and can be implemented as a computingsystem. In this disclosure, the term “computing system” means a systemthat includes at least one computing device. In some instances, acomputing system can include one or more other computing systems.

The media system 200 can include various components, such as a firstmedia content source (referred to herein as a “first source”) 202, afirst media content distributor (referred to herein as a “firstdistributor”) 204, a second media content source (referred to herein asa “second source”) 206, a second media content distributor (referred toherein as a “second distributor”) 208, a set-top box receiver (referredto herein as a “receiver”) 210, and/or a media presentation device 212,each of which can be implemented as a computing system.

The media system 200 can also include a connection mechanism 214, whichconnects the first source 202 with the first distributor 204; aconnection mechanism 216, which connects the second source 206 with thesecond distributor 208; a connection mechanism 218, which connects thefirst distributor 204 with the receiver 210; a connection mechanism 220,which connects the second distributor 208 with the receiver 210; and aconnection mechanism 222, which connects the receiver 210 with the mediapresentation device 212. In practice, the media system 200 is likely toinclude many of some or all of the example components described above,which can allow for many media content sources to provide media contentto many media presentation devices.

The first source 202 and the first distributor 204 can each take variousforms. For example, the first source 202 can be a broadcaster and/or aweb server, and the first distributor 204 can be a multi-channeldistributor (e.g., a local content provider, a cable provider, asatellite provider, an over-the-air broadcast provider, and/or a webaggregator) and/or an Internet service provider. Likewise, the secondsource 206 and the second distributor 208 can take various forms such asthe respective examples provided above. In some cases, the first source202 and the first distributor 204 can be integrated together. Likewise,the second source 206 and the second distributor 208 can be integratedtogether.

The receiver 210 and the media presentation device 212 can each takevarious forms as well. For example, the receiver can be a cablereceiver, a satellite receiver, an over-the-air broadcast receiver,and/or a streaming media receiver, and the media presentation device 212can be a television or another display device, or a loudspeaker oranother audio device. In some cases, the receiver 210 and the mediapresentation device 212 can be integrated together.

III. Example Operations

Referring again to FIG. 2, within the media system 200, the first source202 can transmit media content to the first distributor 204, which cantransmit the media content to the receiver 210. The receiver 210 canthen transmit the media content to the media presentation device 212,which can present the media content to an end-user using any mediapresentation technique now known or later discovered.

In one example, the first source 202 can be a national broadcaster, suchas ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, HBO, or CNN, and the first distributor 204 can bea local affiliate or local content provider in a particular designatedmarket area (DMA). Further, the receiver 210 and the media presentationdevice 212 can be located at a customer's premises, such as a home orbusiness establishment. With this or another arrangement, the firstsource 202 can deliver media content to the first distributor 204 fordistribution to the receiver 210, and the first distributor 204 candistribute the media content to the receiver 210 on a discrete channel(e.g., on a particular frequency). The receiver 210 can then respond touser input or one or more other trigger events by tuning to a selectedchannel and transmitting to the media presentation device 212 the mediacontent that is arriving on the selected channel. The media presentationdevice 212 can then receive and present the media content (e.g., bydisplaying or otherwise presenting the content). For simplicity, withrespect to a given portion of media content, this disclosure refers tothese and similar types of acts (e.g., delivering or distributing aportion of media content, receiving the portion of media content, andpresenting the portion of media content content) as occurringsimultaneously. However, it should be appreciated that in practice,various types of transmission or processing delays can occur.

In some cases, the first distributor 204 can distribute media contentbased on a distribution schedule. In one example, where the firstdistributor is a broadcast-based distributor, the distribution schedulemay be referred to in the industry as a broadcast schedule.

A distribution schedule can specify which media programs are scheduledfor distribution, when they are scheduled for distribution, and on whatchannels they are scheduled to be distributed on. For instance, adistribution schedule can specify that the first source 202 is scheduledto start distributing a given media program on a given channel at ascheduled start-time and is scheduled to stop distributing that mediaprogram on that channel at a scheduled end-time. In some cases, a mediaprogram can include commercials or other content as part of the mediaprogram.

In some cases, a distribution schedule can specify that a media contentdistributor is scheduled to distribute a first media program, and isfurther scheduled to distribute a second media program immediately afteror soon after distributing the first media program. As such, thescheduled end-time of the first media program can correspond with thescheduled start-time of the second media program. In practice, thescheduled end-time of the first media program can be proximate to thescheduled start-time of the second media program, and can represent thetransition point between the distribution of the first media program andthe distribution of the second media program.

To illustrate some of these concepts, consider an example distributionschedule that specifies that the first distributor 204 is scheduled tostart distributing a first media program on a channel at a scheduledstart-time of 08:00:00 (in hours::minutes::seconds format, and accordingto a 24-hour clock), and is scheduled to stop distributing the firstmedia program at a scheduled end-time of 08:29:59. The schedule furtherspecifies that the first distributor 204 is scheduled to startdistributing a second media program on the same channel at a scheduledstart-time of 08:30:00, and is scheduled to stop distributing the secondmedia program at a scheduled end-time of 08:59:59. Thus, the scheduledend-time of the first media program corresponds with the scheduledstart-time of the second media program. In some examples, there could becommercials or other content separating the first and second mediaprograms, but even in this case, the scheduled end-time of the firstmedia program can correspond with the scheduled start-time of the secondmedia program.

In the case where the first distributor 204 distributes the first andsecond media programs according to the distribution schedule, the mediapresentation device 212 can receive and present the media programs basedon the schedule. However, for various reasons, the first distributor 204may not distribute the media programs according to the schedule. Thus,the media presentation device 212 may not receive and present the mediaprograms based on the schedule.

To illustrate how this can happen, assume that the first media programis a media program covering a sporting event, and that the distributionof the first media program is a live broadcast. Further, assume that thesporting event, the first media program, and the distribution of thefirst media program run ten minutes longer than expected. Given this,the first distributor 204 can distribute the first media program untilan end time that is ten minutes beyond the scheduled end-time (until08:39:59), and can then transition to distributing the second mediaprogram (at a start time that is ten minutes later than the scheduledstart time). As such, the media presentation device 212 can present thefirst media program until 08:39:59, and can then transition topresenting the second media program thereafter.

In this scenario, if the end-user of the media presentation device 212wants to watch the ten minute overrun portion of the first mediaprogram, the end-user can do so. However, if the end-user instead wantsto watch the first ten minutes of the second media program on the mediapresentation device 212, the end-user may become frustrated when themedia presentation device 212 presents the ten minute overrun portion ofthe first media program instead. Thus, this particular technicalarrangement may present an issue.

However, features of the present disclosure can help address this issueand provide an improvement to the relevant technical field (i.e., thefield of media content distribution and presentation technology). Thesefeatures will now be described. As noted above, the first distributor204 can transmit the first media program distributed on the channel tothe receiver 210. As such, the receiver 210 can receive a portion (i.e.,some or all) of the first media program being distributed on thechannel.

Further, the receiver 210 can predict that the distribution of the firstmedia program on the channel will end later than the scheduled end-time.The receiver 210 can do this in various ways. For example, in the casewhere the distribution of the first media program is a live broadcast ofan event, the receiver 210 can (i) use the distribution schedule todetermine the scheduled end-time of the first media program, (ii)receive data representing a state of the event that is a subject of thefirst media program, (iii) use the received data to predict an end timeof the first media program, and (iv) determine that the predictedend-time is later than the determined scheduled end-time.

The receiver 210 can obtain the distribution schedule in various ways.In one example, the receiver 210 can retrieve the schedule (perhaps inthe form of an electronic program guide (EPG)) from another entity, suchas the first distributor 204.

As noted above, the receiver 210 can receive data representing a stateof the event that is the subject of the first media program. Thereceiver 210 can do this in various ways. For example, the receiver 210can retrieve this data from another entity, such as server.

Further, as noted above, the receiver 210 can use the received data topredict an end time of the first media program. In one example, thereceiver 210 can use the received data to predict a timing attribute ofthe distribution, and based on the predicted timing attribute, thereceiver 210 can predict the end time of the first media program. Forinstance, the predicted timing-attribute can be an indication of a totalduration of the event or a duration remaining in the event. In anotherexample, the predicted timing-attribute can be an indication that theevent is anticipated to extend beyond a predetermined time.

In some cases, the receiver 210 can determine the predicted end-time ofthe distribution as the same time as the predicted end-time of theevent. In other cases, the receiver 210 can determine the predictedend-time of the distribution as the predicted end-time of the event plussome amount of additional time (e.g., two minutes) for safe measure.

In some cases, the receiver 210 can receive data corresponding to asimilar past event. For example, where the event is a sporting eventthat includes a game, the past event can be a game that occurred undersimilar circumstances in the past, such as with the same or similarparticipants, score, or game-clock time. For instance, where the eventincludes a baseball game between two teams, the data corresponding tothe similar past event can include data corresponding to a past baseballgame in which the two teams played, a past baseball game having the samescore in the same inning, or a past baseball game having one or moreother similarities to the current baseball game.

As such, the receiver 210 can predict the timing attribute of thedistribution based on the received data representing the state of theevent, and the received data corresponding to the past event. Forexample, the receiver 210 can compare the data representing a state ofthe past event to the retrieved data representing the state of theevent, and based on that comparison determine a predicted end-time forthe event. As noted above, the receiver 210 can then determine that thepredicted end-time is later than the determined scheduled end-time.

In some cases, a server or another entity can predict that that thedistribution of the first media program on the channel will end laterthan the scheduled end-time, and can transmit a message indicating thisto the receiver 210. As such, the receiver 210 can receive this messageand can predict that that the distribution of the first media program onthe channel will end later than the scheduled end-time based on thereceived message. In another example, the server can transmit anindication of a predicted timing attribute or other related data to thereceiver 210, which can receive and use this information to predict thatthat the distribution of the first media program on the channel will endlater than the scheduled end-time.

Responsive at least to the predicting, the receiver 210 can (i) retrievefrom a source other than the channel, a portion (e.g., some or all) ofthe second media program, and (ii) after the scheduled start-time, thereceiver 210 can output the retrieved portion of the second mediaprogram. As with the first source 202 and the first distributor 204, thesecond source 206 can also transmit media content to the seconddistributor 208, which can transmit the media content to the receiver210. As such, in one example, the second distributor 208 can be thesource other than the channel. In the case where the first distributor204 is a broadcast-based distributor and second distributor 208 is anInternet service provider, this can allow the receiver 210 to retrievethe portion of the second media program “over the top” of the broadcastfirst media program.

In some instances, the receiver 210 can extract data from thedistribution schedule, and can use the extracted data to identify thesecond media program, thus facilitating the receiver 210 retrieving theportion of the second media program from the second distributor 208.

In some cases, the receiver 210 can receive the portion of the firstmedia program via a first communication interface of the receiver 210,and can retrieve the portion of the second media program via a secondcommunication interface of the receiver 210 that is different from thefirst communication interface. For instance, where the first distributor204 is a broadcast-based distributor and second distributor 208 is anInternet service provider, the first communication interface of thereceiver 210 can be a coaxial or other interface configured to receivethe portion of first media content via a broadcast-based distributionsystem, and the second communication interface of the receiver 210 canbe an Ethernet or other interface configured to receive the portion ofsecond media content via a multicast-based or unicast-based distributionsystem.

In some cases, such as where second media program is prerecorded, thereceiver 210 can retrieve or can begin retrieving the portion of thesecond media program from the second source 206 before its scheduledstart-time. In other cases, such as where the second media program isscheduled to be provided as a live broadcast, the receiver 210 canretrieve and output the portion of the second media program whileretrieving the portion of the second media program. In still otherexamples, the receiver 210 can retrieve or can begin retrieving theportion of the second media program from the second distributor 208after its scheduled start-time.

The receiver 210 can output the retrieved portion of the second mediaprogram in various ways. For example, the receiver 210 can output theretrieved portion of the second media program by transmitting theretrieved portion of the second media program to the media presentationdevice 212, which can receive and present the retrieved portion to theend-user.

Recall the scenario discussed above where the end-user may becomefrustrated when the media presentation device 212 presents the tenminutes overrun portion of the first media program instead of the firstten minutes of the second media program. As shown with the featuresdiscussed above, the media system 200 can address this issue by allowingthe end-user to watch the first ten minutes of the second media programdespite the first distributor 204 distributing a portion of the firstmedia program beyond its scheduled end-time. As such, the receiver 210outputting the retrieved portion of the second media program can includethe receiver 210 switching from outputting the received portion of thefirst media program to outputting the retrieved portion of the secondmedia program. Then, at a later time, (e.g., after the scheduledend-time of the second media program) the receiver 210 can switch backto presenting media content received from the first distributor 204.

Given that some end-users may wish to watch the overrun portion of thefirst media program, whereas other end-users may instead wish to watchthe beginning of the second media program, the receiver 210 can allowthe end-user to choose which of the two media programs to output whensuch a timing conflict exists. For example, proximate to the scheduledend-time of the first media program, the receiver 210 can output twoselectable user-interface objects, a first of which corresponds with thefirst media program, and a second of which corresponds with the secondmedia program. In this way, the end-user can select (e.g., using aremote control device) one of the objects to indicate which of the twomedia programs the end-user wishes to watch. In one example, thereceiver 210 can detect a selection of the first selectableuser-interface object, in which case the receiver 210 can continueoutputting the first media program. However, in another example, thereceiver 210 can detect a selection of the second selectableuser-interface object, and responsive to at least the detecting, thereceiver can switch from outputting the received portion of the firstmedia program to outputting the retrieved portion of the second mediaprogram.

In one example, the receiver 210 can output the selectableuser-interface objects proximate to the scheduled end-time. This canprompt the end-user and give the end-user an opportunity to switch fromwatching the first media program to watching the second media program ata desirable time.

In other examples, the receiver 210 can allow the end-user to setdefault preferences though a settings menu of the like to handle suchtiming conflicts. For example, the receiver 210 can allow the end-userto specify priority rankings for various media programs or types ofmedia programs (e.g., sporting events) to allow the receiver 210 toresolve the types of conflicts described above in an automated manner.

Although some of the acts and/or functions described in this disclosurehave been described as being performed by a particular entity, the actsand/or functions can be performed by any entity, such as those entitiesdescribed in this disclosure. For example, the media presentation device212 can perform one or more of the acts and/or functions described asbeing performed by the receiver 210. Other arrangements are possible aswell. For example, rather than the first source 202 providing the firstmedia content to the receiver 210 via the first distributor 204, thefirst source 202 can provide the first media content directly to themedia presentation device 212. Likewise, rather than the second source206 providing the second media content to the receiver 210 via thesecond distributor 208, the second source 206 can provide the secondmedia content directly to the media presentation device 212.

Further, rather than the first source 202 and/or the first distributor204 providing the first media content to the media presentation device212 via the receiver 210, the first source 202 and/or the firstdistributor 204 can provide the first media content to the mediapresentation device 212 directly. Likewise, rather than the secondsource 206 and/or the second distributor 208 providing the second mediacontent to the media presentation device 212 via the receiver 210, thesecond source 206 and/or the second distributor 208 can provide thesecond media content to the media presentation device 212 directly.Various other arrangements are possible as well.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 300.

At block 302, the method 300 can include receiving, by a computingsystem, a portion of a first media program being distributed on achannel, wherein the distribution of the first media program on thechannel is scheduled to end at an end-time, and wherein a distributionof a second media program on the channel is scheduled to start at astart-time that corresponds with the scheduled end-time.

At block 304, the method 300 can include predicting, by the computingsystem, that the distribution of the first media program on the channelwill end later than the scheduled end-time.

At block 306, the method 300 can include responsive at least to thepredicting, (i) retrieving, by the computing system, from a source otherthan the channel, a portion of the second media program, and (ii) afterthe scheduled start-time, outputting, by the computing system, theretrieved portion of the second media program.

IV. Example Variations

Although some of the acts and/or functions described in this disclosurehave been recited in a particular order, the acts and/or functions neednot be performed in the order recited. However, in some instances, itcan be desired to perform the acts and/or functions in the orderrecited. Further, each of the acts and/or functions can be performedresponsive to one or more of the other acts and/or functions. Also, notall of the acts and/or functions need to be performed to achieve one ormore of the benefits provided by this disclosure, and therefore not allof the acts and/or functions are required.

Although certain variations have been discussed in connection with oneor more examples of this disclosure, these variations can also beapplied to all of the other examples of this disclosure as well.

Although select examples of this disclosure have been described,alterations and permutations of these examples will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. Other changes, substitutions, and/oralterations are also possible without departing from the invention inits broader aspects as set forth in the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving, by acomputing system, a portion of a first media program being distributedon a channel, wherein the distribution of the first media program on thechannel is scheduled to end at an end-time, and wherein a distributionof a second media program on the channel is scheduled to start at astart-time that corresponds with the scheduled end-time; predicting, bythe computing system, a predicted end-time for the first media programidentifying that the distribution of the first media program on thechannel will end later than the scheduled end-time, the predictingincluding: receiving data representing a first state of the first mediaprogram; receiving data representing a second state of a past eventcorresponding to a subject of the first media program; and determiningthe predicted end-time based on a comparison of the first state and thesecond state; and responsive at least to the predicting, (i) retrieving,by the computing system, from a source other than the channel, a portionof the second media program, and (ii) after the scheduled start-time,outputting, by the computing system, the retrieved portion of the secondmedia program.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the computing systemcomprises a media presentation device, and wherein outputting theretrieved portion of the second media program comprises presenting theretrieved portion of the second media program on the media presentationdevice.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the computing system comprisesa receiver, and wherein outputting the retrieved portion of the secondmedia program comprises transmitting the retrieved portion of the secondmedia program to a media presentation device for presentation.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein receiving the portion of the first mediaprogram comprises receiving the portion of the first media program froma broadcast-based distribution system, and wherein retrieving theportion of the second media program comprises retrieving the portion ofthe second media program from a multicast-based or unicast-baseddistribution system.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving theportion of the first media program comprises receiving the portion ofthe first media program via a first communication interface of thecomputing system, and wherein retrieving the portion of the second mediaprogram comprises retrieving the portion of the second media program viaa second communication interface of the computing system.
 6. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: outputting, by the computing system, thereceived portion of the first media program, wherein outputting theretrieved portion of the second media program comprises switching fromoutputting the received portion of the first media program to outputtingthe retrieved portion of the second media program.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein predicting that the distribution of the first mediaprogram on the channel will end later than the scheduled end-timecomprises: using a distribution schedule to determine the scheduledend-time; using the received data to predict an end time of the firstmedia program; comparing the scheduled end-time to the predicted endtime of the first media program; and determining that the predictedend-time is later than the determined scheduled end-time.
 8. The methodof claim 1, wherein the computing system is a first computing system,wherein predicting that the distribution of the first media program onthe channel will end later than the scheduled end-time comprisesreceiving from a second computing system, a message indicating that thedistribution of the first media program on the channel will end laterthan the scheduled end-time.
 9. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: outputting, by the computing system, a selectableuser-interface object; detecting, by the computing system, a selectionof the selectable user-interface object; and responsive at least to thedetecting, switching, by the computing system, from outputting thereceived portion of the first media program to outputting the retrievedportion of the second media program.
 10. The method of claim 9, whereinoutputting the selectable user-interface object occurs proximate to thescheduled end-time.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein retrieving theportion of the second media program comprises retrieving the portion ofthe second media program before the scheduled start-time.
 12. The methodof claim 1, wherein retrieving the portion of the second media programcomprises retrieving the portion of the second media program after thescheduled start-time.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting theretrieved portion of the second media program comprises outputting theretrieved portion of the second media program while retrieving theportion of the second media program.
 14. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium having stored thereon program instructions thatupon execution by a processor, cause performance of a set of actscomprising: receiving, by a computing system, a portion of a first mediaprogram being distributed on a channel, wherein the distribution of thefirst media program on the channel is scheduled to end at an end-time,and wherein a distribution of a second media program on the channel isscheduled to start at a start-time that corresponds with the scheduledend-time; predicting, by the computing system, a predicted end-time forthe first media program identifying that the distribution of the firstmedia program on the channel will end later than the scheduled end-time,the predicting including: receiving data representing a first state ofthe first media program; receiving data representing a second state of apast event corresponding to a subject of the first media program; anddetermining the predicted end-time based on a comparison of the firststate and the second state; and responsive at least to the predicting,(i) retrieving, by the computing system, from a source other than thechannel, a portion of the second media program, and (ii) after thescheduled start-time, outputting, by the computing system, the retrievedportion of the second media program.
 15. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the computing systemcomprises a media presentation device, and wherein outputting theretrieved portion of the second media program comprises presenting theretrieved portion of the second media program on the media presentationdevice.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14,wherein the computing system comprises a receiver, and whereinoutputting the retrieved portion of the second media program comprisestransmitting the retrieved portion of the second media program to amedia presentation device for presentation.
 17. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein receiving the portion ofthe first media program comprises receiving the portion of the firstmedia program via a broadcast-based distribution system, and whereinretrieving the portion of second media program comprises retrieving theportion of the second media program via a unicast-based distributionsystem or a multicast-based distribution system.
 18. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein receiving the portion ofthe first media program comprises receiving the portion of the firstmedia program via a first communication interface of the computingsystem, and wherein retrieving the portion of the second media programcomprises retrieving the portion of the second media program via asecond communication interface of the computing system.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, the set of actsfurther comprising: outputting, by the computing system, the receivedportion of the first media program, wherein outputting the retrievedportion of the second media program comprises switching from outputtingthe received portion of the first media program to outputting theretrieved portion of the second media program.
 20. A computing systemincluding a processor configured for performing a set of actscomprising: receiving, by the computing system, a portion of a firstmedia program being distributed on a channel, wherein the distributionof the first media program on the channel is scheduled to end at anend-time, and wherein a distribution of a second media program on thechannel is scheduled to start at a start-time that corresponds with thescheduled end-time; predicting, by the computing system, a predictedend-time for the first media program identifying that the distributionof the first media program on the channel will end later than thescheduled end-time, the predicting including: receiving datarepresenting a first state of the first media program; receiving datarepresenting a second state of a past event corresponding to a subjectof the first media program; and determining the predicted end-time basedon a comparison of the first state and the second state; and responsiveat least to the predicting, (i) retrieving, by the computing system,from a source other than the channel, a portion of the second mediaprogram, and (ii) after the scheduled start-time, outputting, by thecomputing system, the retrieved portion of the second media program.